She poured her heart and soul into EVERYTHING, and while stitching everything together, she would pray for whoever would end up using whatever she was making:
When I finally realized she was serious, I cried. I felt so overwhelmed with gratitude, unworthiness, and awe that I couldn't respond to her e-mail for more than a week. Every time I would try, words would fail me and I'd just begin crying again. To think that she would not only WANT to do this, but consider it a personal honor... guys... I'm tearing up again just thinking of how wonderful she is. Karen lives out in Ohio, so she asked that I send her my measurements. She asked if I had anything in mind, and I didn't. My only request was that she use lightweight lace because I'd be married in May. She sent me a photo of a style she thought would be perfect for me and I immediately approved. Of course she'd pick out something perfect. SHE is perfect. I didn't hear much from her in the months that followed. To be fair, I was inundated with changing plans around due to the impending pandemic, moving Chris home, and trying to sort out virtual learning for the boys. She was very clearly busy, too, because the day we finally got Chris home, a package was waiting for us when we arrived. It was the dress! Upon opening it, I could hardly contain myself. It was more stunning than I had anticipated. The lace was SUPREMELY soft and for as large as the dress was, it was super lightweight. I'm not entirely sure how she managed that. She included a cathedral length veil that was trimmed in the same lace she used to make the dress. I didn't end up using it due to COVID, but I still have it tucked away with the dress. She sent me the sweetest letter ever with the dress, assuring me that every stitch was offered as a prayer for our marriage. And now I own an original piece of artwork from one of my most beloved artistic friends. I cannot overstate how much I appreciate this grace.  So to Karen, I love you ridiculous amounts. I cannot ever thank you enough for giving so freely of yourself to ensure that I had something so beautiful to wear. I cherish it, just as I cherish our friendship. You are a saint, my friend, and I hope to be much, MUCH more like you when I "grow up."
And yes, Chris absolutely wiped a tear from his eye when he saw me in it. Even he was blown away by your ability to clean me up. *Grin* Love you, friend. Thank you.
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 This utterly GORGEOUS piece of work by the impossibly talented William Bouguereau is titled "Le Charite." A couple weeks ago, I saw someone on Facebook erroneously draw the conclusion that this was Our Lady cradling aborted children. *Sigh* I'm as pro-life as they come, but this piece has exactly zero to do with abortion. This is NOT the Blessed Mother, and Bouguereau (who had painted plenty of BVMs over his career) never once chose to depict her breastfeeding (which is another entry for another time). I get super agitated whenever someone usurps unrelated content to fit a narrative... even if that narrative is one I happen to agree with (abortion is a terribly grave and unjust sin against innocent life). I responded to the public FB post with a relatively brief explanation as to what this painting was and what it was ACTUALLY representing. Because so many Catholics were sharing the erroneously captioned message, it felt like I was chasing my tail dropping my "Guys, guys, guys... this isn't the Blessed Mother and those aren't aborted children!" everywhere. I posted to Twitter as well, and then realized that I missed explaining art. So here I am, back in the saddle... The woman is the personification of Charity. These are not aborted children, but personifications of all who seek charity. She is bare-breasted and wearing red (the color of martyrdom), indicating her willingness to nourish others with the fullness of herself.  There is an overturned jug of gold at her left foot. This indicates that no cost is too great for the fulfillment of charity in the service of others. She also has books at her right foot; she is both wise and generous with that knowledge. She has purple columns on either side indicating both sacrifice and royalty ("and the greatest of these is Charity"). She's seated on white marble, an architectural & art medium known for being lustrous, strong, & pure. The children are not hers biologically, but clearly belong to her. Charity accepts all. The children exemplify various things Charity can provide. Clockwise from 11 o'clock:
Interestingly, these children are placed at roughly the same places we would see the Wounds of Christ: two in her hands, two at her feet, and one at her side. Charity is seated upon an altar of sorts, flanked by sacrifice, draped in martyrdom, and enshrined in divinity (the gold behind her, creating an almost halo-like effect). She mirrors the Sacred Wounds and configures herself wholly to Christ, welcoming and sacrificing for all. Important to note is the fact that she is veiled with downcast eyes, indicating humility. Charity is never boastful; she is only concerned with those she is in service of. TL; DR - this is not Mary, these are not aborted children, and while art is certainly open to interpretation, that interpretation should be honest with its motives and at least somewhat knowledgeable with the artist/history & circumstances in which it was made. Please don't ever be like the guy below who got my eye all twitchy. Inevitably, there will be folks who know the truth, and no matter HOW well intentioned your message, it becomes tainted. Don't taint the pro-life message, please... especially not with a Bouguereau.  |
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